Yesterday, we saw the breaking news on TV about the current snow storm which hit Southern Ontario just before Christmas and will affect many excited travellers this holiday season.
Isn’t this all too common now? Our travel schedules have never been firm since the pandemic started, either due to weather or COVID-19 or whatever else. The only firm and sure thing is the salvation and redemption that we find in our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas day. Today, we reflect back on God’s many mercies for us this past year and how good He is despite all uncertainties.
In particular, a new family member has joined us this year, in March, on the very first day of spring: Theodore Nathaniel Firtandi! Adriel and Jennifer are delighted to announce the birth of their son, nicknamed “Teddy”, who is rambunctious and silly and full of energy. They have been forthcoming to family and friends about the complicated pregnancy Jennifer had–with many ultrasounds, genetic testing, and other interventions that she had to undergo due to some unusual markers at her preliminary checkup. While the road was definitely a rocky one, the Lord was with them every step of the way, and thanks be to God, Teddy was born a healthy, chubby, 7 pound 13 ounce baby at 39 weeks. Teddy has been such a joy to the whole family and has been quite the traveler at 9 months old, having been to Mexico, Indonesia, and now Punta Cana for Christmas!
Five years ago, Kimberly went on a trip to South East Asia, where she volunteered at a home for orphaned children with special needs. There, an ever growing passion to work with children with exceptionalities began. Kimberly began the 2022/2023 school year accepting her third Long-Term Occasional Teaching contract, this time teaching an amazing group of students with autism. Though teaching neurodivergent children can be a challenge, Kimberly has enjoyed every moment of it. She loves working with her incredible team and really enjoys watching the growth of the students throughout the year. While teaching has its own difficulties and challenges, she is passionate about what she does and feels that God really called her to be in this vocation. She is excited to see where each new journey takes her!
Monty still works part time at the hospital, and he plans to continue doing so as long as he is needed or until other ministries require more of his time. This year, he has stepped down from leadership at church due to some new serving opportunities in Indonesia. Monty has started doing volunteer work for Sekolah Kristen Ketapang (SKK), a private Christian school owned by our home church in Jakarta since this past summer. He has been praying for volunteer opportunities since last year, and God finally opened up the way for him this year. A lot of things need to be learned about the school operations, and discernment is required on which areas need his involvement, but he is happy to be serving in any way he can. Still in his prayer is an opportunity to have a 1-on-1 ministry to help others get closer to God, and to help schools in remote areas. This year, he visited Indonesia three times, which allowed him to explore the ministry and meet with many family and friends. In his last trip, he read a book titled “Respectable Sins” and learned that if we want to have contentment in life we need to be willing to receive what God gives us, lack whatever God withholds, and relinquish whatever God takes.
Despite the seemingly unending turmoils of everyday life, one recurring theme we have seen this year is God’s unending blessings. While there may be uncertainties in life that cause us to worry about the future, there are plenty of beautiful moments in the present that inspire us to give thanks to our Creator. Whatever ups and downs life brought us this year, we hope that you too may find joy in God’s blessings, and in the reminder that God blessed us with His Son Jesus Christ in spite of our every wandering.
Sending each and every one of you warm wishes and many blessings from our growing family to yours! Merry Christmas 2022 and Happy New Year 2023!
monty - kimberly - jennifer - adriel - Teddy
